The Great Print Exhibition returns to Rheged for a remarkable fifth year. The largest exhibition of printmaking in the UK opens on Friday 6 December 2019 and runs until Sunday 8 March 2020. The Exhibition will be the first take up residence in the centre’s new state-of-the-art gallery space.
The show has grown year on year both in artists, artworks and reputation. The 2019 exhibition promises to continue in the same vein with 77 artists, 500 framed artworks and over 1000 prints including unframed pieces.The Rheged Centre, which is located at the gateway to the Lake District, has become synonymous with forward-thinking and dynamic exhibitions.
The exhibition features work from some of Britain’s most highly-respected printmakers including Printfest’s ‘Printmaker of the Year’ Anita Klein and Royal Academician, Anne Desmet. There are also 32 newcomers to the exhibition including exciting works by Bronwen Sleigh, Angie Lewin and Ade Asena,
Arts Manager John Stokes said: “In a digital age where everything is on-demand, print, in all its forms can offer welcome respite. More than just wonderful art, The Great Print Exhibition offers people a chance to contemplate, reflect, escape and rationalise the constant online noise we are subjected to. And who knows, perhaps you’ll even find a piece of artwork you never knew you wanted or needed!”
And what about the new gallery space? Well at 390 square metres and in a new second-floor location, it is 30% larger than the previous incarnation and features cutting edge lighting from industry leader, Concord. The space is totally flexible meaning that moving walls can transform the space to suit the needs of different exhibitions. In addition, the new gallery shop promises a carefully considered range – from pocket money purchases for budding artists to design-led gifts, cards, prints and homeware.
Immediately adjacent to the gallery, visitors will find a new-look (and constantly evolving) ‘making studio’ (formerly Create) encouraging visitors of all ages and abilities to see great art and then try some of the techniques they’ve seen for themselves.
John and the Rheged team are delighted to bring the Great Print Exhibition back to Rheged in this inspiring new space, and are looking forward to welcoming many visitors to explore this collection, the largest of its kind. Hung in a salon style, with floor to ceiling prints filling the gallery, it promises to be a visual feast and a fitting celebration of British printmaking.
The Great Print Exhibition runs from Friday 5 December 2019 to Sunday 8 March 2020. It is open every day from 10am-5pm except for Christmas and Boxing Day. Admission is free.
